Herr Mike in Deutschland

I figure that the Manatee is such a great creature it deserves its own post, I think the tiny collage picture did not suffice. So here, in all it's glory, the queen of the Sea: The Manatee, The Dugong, The Sea Cow, whatever you address her as, be sure to place majesty in front of it!

Any thoughts on the manatee or anything at all? Then please leave comments, the only person doing so is my mother! This means one of two things: either the rest of you are 'stinkfaul' (really lazy) or my mother is the only one who reads my blog. Hmm.

On Sunday we all went to Nuremberg Zoo! It was a good day despite poor weather. The zoo or 'Tiergarten' covers a really wide area, there are probably more empty landscaped areas than there are animal enclosures. For a place with so much space it was disappointing to see some of the animals in very confined spaces. Some of the creatures actually looked distressed, it was quite depressing at times.
There was a neurotic bear which tirelessly paced up and down, back and forth. The tiger did the same, a beautiful creature but clearly devoid of the will to live. I have lots of pics of the animals but they were mostly taken by Christian who went round the park with marie and another girl whilst I strolled about with Markus and Sarah and two of Sarah's friends who had come to visit from Manchester. As there were so many pics I have put them into a crazy collage thing, please let me know if it works ok: you should be able to zoom a bit to see em all:


The one thing which cheered me up no end was the my first sight of a real Manatee in the flesh. These massive sea cows also had a relatively small tank though seemed to be enjoying themselves by rotating through the water and bumping in to one another. For all I know this could be another sign of depression, though I almost flung myself into the water to join in as they looked so content.

Firstly, I will apologise for the late weekend posts, had some trouble with the internet network at the Wohnheim, due to the renovation work I believe.
Anyhow, this Saturday I went to a festival in Bamberg, which I believe is known as eine 'Kirchweih'. Christian's hairdresser (Friseur auf deutsch) had recommended it so we decided to go along.
It is village fete sort of thing which attracts hundreds of people. The community spirit in Germany really is amazing, every weekend throughout the Summer there is an event in which a town tries to out-do its neighbours with a festival. From what I have observed this contest is judged on litres of beer sold as huge jugs of the stuff are a common theme in every town, regrdless of what is being celebrated. There is always a friendly and jovial atmosphere.
Bamberg is a very beautiful old town which was very peaceful when I visited it with my parents a few weeks back. Not so on Saturday, it was heaving! People crammed into all of the little winding streets, straining to reach the multitude of stalls on the river which were selling copious amounts of Bratwurst and wheat beer.
We met up with a few of the guys from the Wohnheim and met some new faces, a girl named Mila from Slovakia and her friend Alp, a dude from turkey. As they are Bamberg residents, working as interns like Christian and I, they showed us around the festivities. We ended up in a huge beer tent looking over the river where a gang of men with suspicious moustaches played traditional German songs. With Christian's assistance I was soon slurring along to tunes that should only really be performed in lederhosen.
The place came even more to life as night fell, with fireworks and a fairground lighting up river bank. At one point a great number of people swam down the river carrying flaming torches. It was a bewitching site and one that I won't forget in while. Check out the pics!

My evening yesterday was cruelly ruined as Rovers allowed Everton to equalise in the dying minutes of the game. Actually, listening to it on Radio Rovers (the wonders of the web) it sounded like a fair result.
Worked until seven today, a personal best! Think I have clocked up an extra week's holiday already! Got loads on with the advertising campaign, the Aquatech trade fair and my usual tasks.

Nothing too exciting I'm afraid. Off for a drink in the cellar before I hit the hay. Can't believe it is Friday tomorrow, where does the time go?

I am positively knackered. Had another day of meetings with Orest on Tuesday which went well. As I was away from the desk for two days I have spent most of the day today sifting through my inbox.

Went to Roxy cinema in Nuremberg last night to watch Superman. Almost three hours of my life I will never get back. And I had to pay more because it was so long! Even super efficient German Christian had not planned our return leg for really late at night so we had to wait for an hour at the station until 1am. One was not amused.

Just when I thought I there were no further obstacles between myself, my bed and the land of slumber, a drunk guy collapsed in front of us outside the Wohnheim. Christian and I helped him up though it was obvious when he fell straight back into the road that he was not going to make it home unaided. As we escorted him down the street to his flat he slurred that he could speak every language in the world. I doubt his English was up to scratch or he would have commented on the curses which flowed freely from my yawning mouth.

It seemed like I been asleep for no more than 10 minutes when my alarm woke me this morning, extra early as I had an appointment with the Krankenmasseur before work. Made it through the day fuelled by caffeine.

Just listening to Rovers play Everton, the first time in a few years that I am not at Ewood Park for the game so sod's law states we'll win! Had a good first half anyway, I'm about to bite my fingernails through the second 45 minutes. I am so looking forward to collapsing into my bed tonight with a horlicks. Rock and Roll!

Had a really busy one today. Have had meetings all day with Orest who, as previously mentioned, is visting us all the way from Canada. Orest is actually familiar with my blog! Someone googled his name, found the post in which I had mentioned him and told him about it. Crazy! Good job I didn't slag him off! I never really realised that my posts are available for the whole world to see! Guess we really do live in a global village.
Orest is a really nice guy, I have to say that now don't I haha, no he genuinely is and we had some interesting and productive meetings today. I hope for more of the same tomorrow.
Following work Katrin, Orest and I went to Nuremberg where Katrin gave us a brief tour of the city before taking us to an authentic German Bratwurst house. It was really cool, with the waitresses even in traditional dress.
Early into bed for me tonight, has been a long day, I certainly don't envy Orest who has had to cope with jetlag on top of everything else, pretty sure he will sleep tonight! (I know I will).

Had a really busy one today. Have had meetings all day with Orest who, as previously mentioned, is visting us all the way from Canada. Orest is actually familiar with my blog! Someone googled his name, found the post in which I had mentioned him and told him about it. Crazy! Good job I didn't slag him off! I never really realised that my posts are available for the whole world to see! Guess we really do live in a global village.
Orest is a really nice guy, I have to say that now don't I haha, no he genuinely is and we had some interesting and productive meetings today. I hope for more of the same tomorrow.
Following work Katrin, Orest and I went to Nuremberg where Katrin gave us a brief tour of the city before taking us to an authentic German Bratwurst house. It was really cool, with the waitresses even in traditional dress.
Early into bed for me tonight, has been a long day, I certainly don't envy Orest who has had to cope with jetlag on top of everything else, pretty sure he will sleep tonight! (I know I will).

Well I have just about recovered from last night. From what I can remember through an alchohol induced haze it was a really good laugh. I met John straight after work and we went for a chinese at a place mum and dad came to when they visited. They recommended the buffet and I was so glad they did as it was excellent. We met the others later and went to a couple of bars before ending up in 'cubanitos' a cuban salsa club where people dance proper salsa till stupid o clock in the morning.
After a couple of 'Caipirinhas' (Cocktails with rum and lime juice) I fully believed that I was a latin god and so flailed away with the others on the dance floor into the early hours. I have spent most of the day recovering and listening to the first day of the premiership on the radio over the internet . Blackburn went down 3-0 to Portsmouth and had two players sent off. Start as we mean to go on eh lads? Gutted.

To keep me company on my lone trip to Germany I have brought with me two mascots to whom I must introduce you. The first is Philipe, a farewell gift from Bry. An inflatable ant, (die Ameise) he is both lightweight and good counsel. Alongside him I have the ever present Captain Fish who has guided me through stormy waters for some time. Often mistaken for a beaver, he is most definately an Otter (der Fischotter). Presented to me by the effervescent Dave Johnson, he has been a reliable sidekick for many years.

Novelty mascots: We salute you!

Apologies for the lack of posts in the last few days, I have had some problems with my blogger account (they are changing it to a beta system).

Sowieso (Anyway), to make up for it I will post two posts today, you lucky things. Nothing spectacular to tell you from Erlangen, the weather is poor and organising the visit of our Canadian colleague on Monday is causing ever more stress. Luckily Katrin, the other member of the WT (Water Technologies) team has returned from holiday to help me with my tasks. Been doing some more writing which is probably what I do best, got to edit the Internal newsletter which was a change from some of my other more mundane duties.

Had a cool evening yesterday, Christian made his famous Spaghetti Bolognese which we ate with the new Matt who arrived a couple of days ago. He would have been here last week were it not for the terrorism scare. He seems like a sound dude, cool to have another addition to our little ex-pat community.

We have John's leaving party tomorrow night, will be strange not having him around, he's a really cool guy and looked after me when I arrived. Sure there will be some pics from that for you, though only providing I am not too intoxicated to locate the view finder. We will see!

Die Staubmilbe: Word of the day, it means dust mite! Pretty sure there are a few of those in this residence.

Anyhow, work has been tough this week, I have to organise the visit of Mr Orest Zacerkowny (should be fun introducing him to everyone) who is flying over from Canada next week. Having a bit of trouble working out a schedule as he is due to meet a lot of people, however I have been helped slightly by the fact that it is holiday time and many people are away.

It was Andy's birthday on monday, and as is traditional here in Germany he laid on a little party in the afternoon. A typically English affair he had arranged for a huge tray of chips to be delivered and got me to make a sachet of Colman's Chip Shop Curry Sauce to go with them. We washed these down with a few cans of Carling, bought from a shop which sells British goods (at extortionate prices by the sounds of it) in Nuremberg. My German colleagues were agast that I drank straight from the can, though Andy assured them it is the proper English way and followed suit. Other gasps of dismay were emitted when we applied vinegar to our chips, a custom apparently alien to our central European cousins. This surprised me as they pickle absolutely everything else!! Wahnsinn! (Insanity!)

Took a last minute decision to go with Flo to meet his girlfriend Jenni and her friend Marie in Nuremberg. Just took a stroll around and went up to the castle which we didn't manage to when mum and dad came. Went up the tower which gave us some superb views of the city. There were some medieval style shows on in the castle grounds which were pretty entertaining too. Have a look at the pics!

Well, another weekend has arrived already, the time is flying by. I had another appointment with the Krankenmasseur, who this time was a male (though I actually think he was more feminine than the shot-putter who administered my last treatment!). He said I had a nice knee (oo-er!) and that it was making good progress, it does feel much better actually.

Work has been a little stressful this week, had lots to do and Andy (my boss) is hounding me to meet deadlines. I find that a lot of the time I have to wait around for other people in order to do my work and that can be frustrating.

We have a new arrival, Ashley, she seems really nice. Much respect to her for coming out here as she doesn't speak German, that's really brave! Introduced her to the Keller bar last night.

Just had word from mum, dad and Ian that they are home safely after 1500mile trip to see me, was really great that they came to visit and I'm made up they enjoyed their little tour of Europe.

Please don't forget that you can leave comments about the blog with the links below, be cool to here from you.

I really don't have much to report I'm afraid, just been going through the usual routine. Work is ok but there are lots of people away on 'Urlaub' (holiday) so it is hard to get things done. Just been chilling with everyone in the evenings, went to the Keller bar last nite for a bit. I have the Krankenmasseur early tomorrow morning, I'm not looking forward to that at all. Will be worth the pain if it fixes my knee though! I was asked today if I wanted to play Fussball (football, but I assume you managed that one) with them. Obviously at the moment my knee wouldn't stand it and to be honest I should probably never risk football again, but the urge to run rings around a few Germans is just too difficult to resist.

(I had some physio) Today I managed to book an appointment with a 'Krankenmasseur' (an Osteopath basically). I'm not sure if I have previously mentioned but my old knee injury has been giving me a bit of grief since I arrived, for no particular reason. This particular place had a cancellation so I left work early and got a bus into nearby Schallershof where I eventually found the place. It was nice, very clean and run with typical German precision. Unfortunately they didn't really speak English but I managed to explain the problem. Shortly after I was taken into a cubicle where a lady with a severe haircut told me to undress. She then proceeded to administer 15 minutes of gruelling pummeling to my poor knee as I recieved the most punishing massage of my life. If that doesn't knock it back into shape I don't know what will. I'm going back on Thursday morning for round two, wish me luck!

I had my first proper trip to Nuremberg with the family yesterday. It is a cool city with some crzy architecture (see pics). It was mad busy yesterday as there was world championship mountain biking taking place with the course of jumps going right through the city which was pretty awesome to watch and certainly kept Ian entertained.

My family have finally arrived in Erlangen, having driven a stupid amount of miles through a number of countries. It's really great to see them and they have brought with them many creature comforts so my room feels a little bit like home. I took them to the English pub last night for some fish and chips, not exactly a taste of Bavarian culture though we made up for it today by having assorted types of Wurst (sausage) at the cafe in the town square.



As it is my parents' 22nd wedding anniversary today (Congratulations are in order) we are heading to restaraunt for a meal shortly. Hopefully heading into Nuremberg tomorrow!